Dozens of 800-year-old skeletons discovered in Mexico

Archaeologists found dozens of 800-year-old skeletons at a construction site in the central state of Puebla, Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History, or INAH, said.

Archaeologists uncovering skeletons in Puebla [Credit: INAH]

Workers came upon the remains Tuesday during excavations to install a drainage system in San Andres Cholula, a town 15 minutes by car from Puebla city, the state capital.

Besides at least 63 skeletons, archaeologists have catalogued containers and other objects characteristic of the Olmec and Xicalanca cultures.

Three months ago, INAH teams discovered 12 other 800-year-old skeletons at a spot about 500 meters (1,600 feet) away from the latest find, and archaeologists say the sites were likely part of a single burial ground.

A dozen researchers are now at the Cholula excavation examining the bones and other items, INAH said.

Cholula, where 29 pre-Columbian skeletons were found last year, is also the location of one of the largest pyramids in Latin America.